Don't be Fearful: World Events

Are you fearful about world events unfolding?

As of February 2011 the big uncertainties unfolding before our wide eyes are in Egypt and other Middle East countries. It seems one form of suppression is crushed, only to be replaced by what may be another more repressive tyranny.

Yet, the Lord has said: "Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid" (John 4:27). Note the words, "not as the world giveth" and not to let "your heart be troubled... (or) afraid".

If you hold a dispensational premillennial view of end-times (i.e. that the world is going to usher in the Anti-Christ at any moment and then the rapture will occur followed by the tribulation)*, naturally your presuppositions will automatically trigger fearful conclusions that are often driven by the latest news event... that the world giveth. This reminds me of the predictions following 911. The permutations will be many once again. In turn, many will become fretful with eyes focused on the newspaper and world events if truth be known, rather than on the Sovereign ruler of the universe who is building His church!

I believe this is reflective (as are other world events that coalesce daily) of the reality that the very much hitherto blessed West is under judgment now. Nothing new here. Unlike in the day of Hezekiah when Sennacherib (circa 704 BC, massive Assyrian empire) was poised to utterly annihilate Judah, our modern day "kings" and leaders do not fall prostrate before the Living God and seek his aid in context to their first walking with Him and in His laws (note: although a more personal and challenging question may be, do we?). Islam, like Assyria and Babylon of old, are on the march to be sure -- but only in judgment to those singularly blessed who have forsaken the God who lovingly orchestrated it all.

Take heart, God is on the throne and the Muslim Brotherhood, et al are in the hands of the Living God; and the Lord is most assuredly our Shepherd and will take care of His people for whom He shed His blood.

There is much the Lord has revealed in His Word but further still resides in His secret counsel. We must be about the bigger things and thus encourage one another continually to truly keep our eyes on the object of our faith -- Christ Jesus our reigning Lord!

"O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding out! For who hath known the mind of the Lord? or who has been his counselor? Or who hath first given to him, and it shall be recompensed unto him again? For of him, and through him, and to him, are all things: to whom be glory forever. Amen" (Romans 11:33-36).

The Master weaver is constantly at work -- and the quilt is beautiful.

* Note: "There is some controversy surrounding the origin of the doctrine of the pretribulation rapture. Although we cannot discuss its origins at length, suffice it to say that the doctrine was never taught before 1830. Nor is it found in the writings of any Christian author prior to the nineteenth century. Does that alone make the doctrine untrue? Not necessarily. But we should demand abundant and clear scriptural proof before accepting any doctrine that has eluded the church throughout its entire history... do dispensationalists provide scriptural support for this admittedly new doctrine? As we shall see, the answer is no". Dispensationalism, Rightly Dividing the People of God? p. 115-116, Keith A. Mathison (1995). I heartily recommend this book which can be ordered here (I collect no fees for recommendations).

© Photo above used with permission from Camille at Flowers in His Garden.